Course Rules and Policies 12-18

12. Academic Honesty, Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

The most important attribute that The University of Melbourne would like to see in its graduates is a profound respect for truth and for the ethics of scholarship. This is important because we want our graduates to be capable of independent thought, be able to do their own work, and to know how to acknowledge the work of others (Professor Peter McPhee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic). For more information, please visit the Academic Honesty and Plagiarism website.

For rules and regulations relating specifically to Law and plagiarism, students should refer to the following:

Plagiarism: What it is and how to avoid it

The Australian Guide to Legal Citation

It is University policy that cheating by students in any form is not permitted, and that work submitted for assessment purposes must be the independent work of the student concerned (or, where joint work is permitted, of the students concerned). This is in keeping with the rules made by the University Council under Regulation 12.2.10 (as reprinted in the Student Diary).

Plagiarism, copying and use of another’s work without proper acknowledgement, is not permitted nor is it permissible for anyone to allow another person to copy their work for the purposes of assessment. Plagiarism may take several forms. Any of the following without full acknowledgement of the debt to the original source counts as plagiarism:

• Direct duplication by copying (or allowing to be copied) another’s work, whether from a book, article, Web site, another student’s assignment etc
• Paraphrasing of another’s work closely with minor changes but with the essential meaning, form and/or progression of ideas maintained
• Piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole
• Submitting one’s own work which has already been submitted for assessment purposes in another subject.
• Producing assignments in conjunction with other people (e.g. another student, a tutor) which should be your own independent work.

When a student is suspected of plagiarism by en examiner, the following procedures will apply:

• The examiner will present the details to the Chair of the subject Examination Board (usually the Head of Department) who will determine whether to proceed with the matter
• If the Chair determines to proceed, the student(s) will be invited to a hearing before the relevant subject Examination Board
• If, after the hearing, the subject Examination Board is of the option that the student(s) has been guilty of plagiarism it may:
  • Require the student to undertake additional assessment in that subject
  • Return a mark of zero for the piece of assessment
  • Return a fail grade for the subject
  • Refer the matter to the Dean regarding the possible presentation of a case of academic misconduct to a discipline committee under Statute 13.1 – Student Discipline.
  • Do more than one of the above

In all cases where a penalty is applied to a student, a written notification will be sent by the Chair of the subject Examination Board to the Faculty Office. The University’s statutes on assessment and academic misconduct define both plagiarism and the process by which this academic misconduct may be penalised. www.services.unimelb.edu.au/plagiarism/policy.html

Please note that academic misconduct and general misconduct, include, but are not limited to plagiarism.  All students are advised to familiarize themselves with the University statutes relating to these terms:  http://www.unimelb.edu.au/ExecServ/Statutes/s131.html

 

13. Special Consideration

Candidates who have suffered hardship which has placed them at a disadvantage in preparing or writing assessed work may apply for Special Consideration (Statute 12.4.4 - 12.4.7). Applications must be submitted on-line via the Student Information System (SIS). Please refer to the guidelines and procedures for submission of applications for Special Consideration:

You must submit your online application no later than 3 working days after the date of submission for the last piece of assessment or it will be considered late. If you have multiple subjects on your application this means submit within 3 working days for the subject with the earliest submission date for the last piece of assessment.

You have 5 working days to submit the HCAP (Health Care or Appropriate Professional) form for Special Consideration.

Please complete and submit a Special Consideration-Preferred Outcome Request form with the HCAP to the Melbourne Law School Student Centre. Please complete a separate form for each subject.

Please note that as a result of a change in University policy, from 2009 the awarding of a mark adjustment as a possible outcome for special consideration is no longer possible. Commencing in 2009, marks will only be adjusted after completion of an additional piece of assessment. Full details regarding special consideration, including the possible outcomes, can be viewed online.

All enquiries regarding special consideration should be emailed to law-llbspecialconsid@unimelb.edu.au

 

14. Student Progress

The Faculty appoints two Progress Committees annually.  The function of the Committees is to investigate the circumstances of the student's performance in the Law course and consequently to elicit and elucidate any fact which may weigh in favour of the student so that these may be taken into account, together with the student's record, when the Committee considers whether action should be taken or any opinion given for the purposes of Statute 11.5.  In considering a student's progress the Faculty would normally take into account personal, financial and study problems.

Each year the progress of students in the Law course is reviewed and consideration is given as to whether action should be taken over any student who has: 

(a) failed in half or more than half of his or her enrolment in that year in terms of either credit points or subjects, excepting a student whose enrolment comprises one or two law subjects and one or more subjects in another Faculty, and who passes all subjects in the other Faculty but fails one law subject and this failure is the first failure in a law subject; or (b) has failed a subject on two or more occasions.

Apart from the exception set out in (a), the relevant subjects are those which can be counted as subjects of a Law course.  A list of students with respect to whom action may be taken is then compiled.  Each student whose name appears on the list is notified and invited to make a written submission to the appropriate Progress Committee.  Arrangements are also made for each student to be interviewed by the Progress Committee.

At the interview the student is given the opportunity to be heard and any information before the Committee is made known to the student.  After considering the student's case the Committee may:

(a) report to the Academic Board that in its opinion the student should be suspended from the course; or (b) decide that the subjects for which the student may enrol in the forthcoming year should be specified; or (c) take no action.

If any decision is made to specify the subjects, the Committee advises the Manager, Melbourne Law School Student Centre as to the number of subjects to be taken and whether the specification is for named subjects.

Students are normally informed of the results of the Committee's decision immediately after the hearing, but in all cases the student is also notified in writing by post.  Students reported to the Academic Board are advised of their right to appear before the Board and copies of relevant regulations are provided.

Any student in respect of whom a report has been made to the Academic Board that the student be suspended from the course is given the opportunity of making an explanation to the Academic Board which may either suspend the student, limit his or her future enrolment, or permit the student to continue in the course without restriction.

For the precise rules relating to unsatisfactory progress students should consult Statute 11.5 in the University Calendar.

 

15. Students with Mental Health or Disability Issues

Students are not required to notify the University that they have a disability.  However, disclosure may make it possible for the University to provide appropriate assistance that will enable students to participate more fully in their studies, thereby making the most of their University experience.  Students are required to register with the University’s Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) before disability related support can be provided.

The Melbourne Law School Student Centre has student advisors who have undergone awareness training on issues that affect students with permanent or temporary impairment, or mental health issues. These are known as Disability Contact Officers and Mental Health Contact Officers respectively. The Faculty also has a Disabilities Equal Opportunity Liaison Officer, who in 2006 will be Glenn Patmore (See Faculty Equal Opportunity Liaison Officers).

Students can be advised to contact a Disability Liaison Officer or Mental Health Contact Officer through the Melbourne Law School Student Centre on 8344 4475.

15.1 Disability Liaison Unit

Certain physical or mental health conditions can have a significant impact on a students ability to study. The Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) provides support for students with a temporary or permanent impairment, a mental health condition or long term medical condition. Staff in the DLU can assist in identifying support requirements and liaising with University staff to facilitate students access to, and participation in, academic life.  This includes, for example, providing notes in an alternative format depending upon each student's requirements. To receive this support students need to register with the DLU, which involves attending an interview and providing medical documentation which outlines the impact of the condition on their ability to study.

15.2 Melbourne Law School Student Centre: Faculty Disability Contact Officer (FDCO)

The Melbourne Law School Student Centre has Disability Contact Officers with extensive knowledge of Faculty policies and processes available to assist students unsure of where to seek advice.

Students who have a long term or permanent impairment that affects their capacity to perform academically are advised to register with the Disability Liaison Unit before approaching the FDCO.

Students who have a temporary impairment (such as a broken arm or severe illness) should approach the FDCO in the first instance to discuss their academic needs in relation to exams, assignments etc.

To contact a student advisor who is also a disability contact officer in the Melbourne Law School Student Centre please contact the office on (61 3) 8344 4475.

15.3 Melbourne Law School Student Centre: Faculty Mental Health Contact Officers (MHCO)

The Faculty has Student Advisors who have undergone awareness training on issues that affect students with mental health issues. These Mental Health Contact Officers have extensive knowledge of faculty policies and processes and are available to assist students who are unsure of where to seek advice or who feel unable to manage an issue.

They are able to provide advice on such matters as Leave, withdrawing from subjects, extensions, Special Consideration. In many cases, a Mental Health Contact Officer can liaise with lecturers on your behalf to arrange appropriate academic accommodations.

In order to gain assistance from a Mental Health Contact Officer students must first register with the Disability Liaison Unit. The DLU will view medical documentation that outlines the mental health condition, discuss with the student what their support needs are and what information they feel comfortable for a Mental Health Contact Officer to know about them.

To contact a Mental Health Contact Officer in the Melbourne Law School Student Centre please contact the office on (61 3) 8344 4475.

15.4 Academic: Students with Disabilities Equal Opportunity Liaison Officer

A/Prof Christian Witting is currently responsible to students with disabilities in his role as Students with Disabilities Equal Opportunity Liaison Officer.  Christian is available to assist students who are unsure where to seek advice about a permanent or temporary impairment. Christian can be contacted on (61 3) 8344 8915.

15.5 Alternative Examination Arrangements

Students with physical or mental health conditions that will impact on their capacity to perform in exams may request alternative examination arrangements. These include:

• alternative venues (e.g. separate smaller exam room)
• extra reading and/or writing time,
• rest breaks,
• alternative exam format/methods (e.g. larger print, having a scribe to write your answers, typing your answers on a computer)

Students who have a permanent disability, medical or mental health condition should contact the Disability Liaison Unit at least one month prior to the publication of the exam timetable (usually available 1 May and 1 October each year).

Students who have a temporary illness (e.g. glandular fever or injury, e.g. broken wrist) should speak to either the Faculty disability liaison officer, or the undergraduate examinations officer located in the Melbourne Law School Student Centre on the Mezzanine level of the Law building.

 

16. Leave of Absence

Students who wish to take a break from their studies for any reason must make a formal application for Leave of Absence by completing an application online through the SIS or submitting an Application for Leave of Absence to the Melbourne Law School Student Centre. 

It is not sufficient to simply absent yourself from classes or withdraw from all your subjects.  If you do this without having leave approved by the Faculty you risk failures, fees and other charges and, ultimately, cancellation of your enrolment by the University. 

Taking Leave of Absence from your Law course is subject to the following guidelines:

• Leave of Absence for Law students may be granted at the discretion of the Melbourne Law School.
• Approval of leave may be restricted depending on the compulsory Law subjects a student would normally be required to do during the period for which they have sought leave. 
• Students will not normally be permitted to take more than two semesters of Leave of Absence for any reason.  
• International students taking Leave of Absence from their course must depart Australia within 28 days from the date when the leave was granted. The University of Melbourne must report variations of student enrolment details to the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).  Students are adviced to report their Leave of Absence to the DIMIA Office before leaving Melbourne to reduce the possibility of their student visa being cancelled while they are on leave.
• Students who fail to re-enrol prior to the end date of their leave will have their enrolment automatically terminated. A reinstatement fee will be levied. If you do not intend to return to study you must submit a discontinuation form.

If you have any queries about taking a break from your studies or any other matters relating to course planning please make an appointment to speak with a student adviser in the Melbourne Law School Student Centre on the Mezzanine Level of the Melbourne Law School (Tel: +61 3 8344 4475 or email law-studentcentre@unimelb.edu.au).

 

17. Discontinuation/Withdrawal from Candidature

Students who withdraw or are discontinued from their studies in the LLB are advised that re-admission to the LLB at a later date may not be possible as the final intake for the LLB will take place in semester 1, 2007.  Students considering withdrawing from their studies are advised to make an appointment to see a course adviser in the Melbourne Law School Student Centre in the first instance.

 

 

18. Updating Your Contact Details

Please note it is the student’s responsibility to ensure the University has their current contact details at all times. Contact details can be updated on the Student Information System. If you are a newly enrolling student or your enrolment is otherwise not yet confirmed, you must notify this office in writing (ie by letter, facsimile or email) of any changes to your contact details.

You should ensure you provide and update your permanent address, term address (if different from your permanent address), and your business address (if applicable) as well as the relevant telephone numbers. You must indicate your preferred mailing address and if this changes at different times of the year, specify the effective dates (eg. term, winter, summer).

Please note you may also record a temporary address and effective dates if required.

Failure to update your contact details may result in missing out on important enrolment information and deadlines. Students should note the University imposes administrative fees and penalties where certain deadlines are not met, for example for late payment of fees or failure to re-enrol by the required date.